W108/9 rear axle parts available?

[Arthur Dalton]

Originally Posted by Tony H

I don't have the original axle anymore-I sold it several years ago but the 2 axles were identical when side by side-at least from exterior observation. The axle in my coupe now came from a '73 280SEL 4.5.
Tony

Yes ..All tube oiler diff. would be the same exterior..it is only the pinion/ring inside that determine the ratios..and all the ones we see are 3.46 in the Euro 3.5 with the tube casing.
I am hoping to find someone with a tubed case that has actually got a 3:69 ratio stamped into the casing from the factory..that would verify the mystery.
All Benz Literature does not show a 3:69 with that case , but it does show 3:69 ratios in the smaller , non tube case..some 113 chassis actually used that as the stock Euro gearing..but again, smaller, non tube case.

I guess it could have been an option in the larger case, just never seen one and I have done many in my 45 years. I see 3:46 in Euro and 3:27 in US version. [ Your 4.5 is the 3:27]....
And I do not see cooler tube cases in anything except V8 engines chassis. [ which makes sense]
...but that does not mean there are not some out there .......
If anyone has one and it is stamped , That would be good info to know....

[sjefke]

Arthur, I will take a look again but last time I checked on mine, I could not find ANY numbers stamped in the casing. Where exactly is it supposed to be stamped? Anybody have a picture so I know where exactly I need to look?

Bert

[Arthur Dalton]

Bert,

I see you have a 3.5 w/manual..if there is a chance of a 3:69 , that would be it. That is great.

If you look at the diff case from the left side, you will see a circle of bolts that hold the left axle tube to the diff case/pumpkin .. Right in front of the two bottom bolts, there will be a machined flat surface on the diff case about 2" long.
If you take a razor or sandpaper to that flat, you wil see the diff. serial # and then the last 3 digits will be the ratio....it will be with a comma, as that is what Euro uses for ratio, instead of the : mark [ in other words ..like 3,69 instead of 3:69 ]
It can easily be seen from under the car, as it is toward the bottom and facing the left/rear wheel.

http://www.sl113.org/forums/uploaded/ja17/2007427222029_gear%20ratio%20location%20late.jpg

If you do see it to be a 3:69, the other important detail is does it also have the oil cooler tube from the left axle tube to the case ..that will eliminate the possibility of the rear having ever been changed to the standard 3:69
case w/o tube. That will verify that the 3:69 ratio was in fact available in both cooler and standard differentials.


Many Thanks for your help.

[sjefke]

OK, I crawled under my car and scraped some ancient teutonic rust coating from my differential case. Yes, it is a 3.69 and it does have a return tube on it.

I attached a picture that I took before I found the ratio. Iignore rusty oily parts Did I mention my car is a daily driver? Seriously, I drive it every day, rain or shine.

Bert

[Arthur Dalton]

Well Bert ,
You get the Grand Prize for info.
That is a rare find and settles the diff. ratio question , once and for all.
So, we can add that to the list. It's cousin, the 3:46 , is most likely more common to the auto tranny 3.5.

Thanks for crawling under there... now you and the readers of this thread know where their ratios can be found, anyway..

[Housecrew]

BTW: I´m still looking for a set of 3,27 gears...

[Arthur Dalton]

Keeping my eyes and ears open for such..

[Tony H]

The specifications from MB in the factory service manual on the 111 3.5 show the rear axle as 3.69 for all cars-cab or coupe-auto or manual.
Tony